Competing in the two day Mid-Cals in Gilroy, the Oakdale Mustang wrestling team took eight of their wrestlers to the Bay Area over the weekend. Out of the eight, senior Abel Garcia and junior Colbey Harlan outdueled the tenacious competition in their respective weight classes. As a team the Mustangs placed fourth overall.

Garcia (172) earned a first round bye and dominated the rest of the way. The well-rested Garcia earned a quick pin fall in his first match and followed it up with a pair of major decisions (13-2, 14-5). That momentum carried him to the finals where he won 3-2 to become champion.

Oakdale’s other championship performance came from 184-pounder Harlan. The top ranked Harlan solidified his ranking in the tournament by earning a major decision 14-2 in his first match. He then scored back-to-back pin fall victories and in the semifinals he won 5-2 setting up his finals match. Harlan made short work in winning the gold as he won by major decision 11-2.

Earning a second place finish was sophomore Ricky Torres. Going 4-1 on the day, the 134-pound sophomore advanced to the finals with a bye in the first round, a pin fall in the second round, a 16-0 technical fall, and earned a 5-0 victory and a 3-1 semifinals win. In his finals match, Torres lost to the top seeded wrestler in the bracket.

Junior Jake Ryan made the trip to Gilroy and came back a third place finisher amongst 147 pound wrestlers. Off to a quick start by winning via pin in his first bout, he followed up with a 13-2 major decision to advance. Ryan battled his way to a 3-2 victory to earn a spot in the semifinals. He lost to the top seeded wrestler via fall in the semifinals but in the consolation rounds, Ryan bounced back with a pair of victories to earn third place.

Fellow junior Bronson Harman finished in fourth place in the tournament. Harmon, who competed in the 162 pound bracket, earned three straight wins before dropping via fall in the semifinals. He lost 3-2 in the third place match to finish fourth.

Others who made the trip and represented Oakdale were seventh place finisher Jake Abeyta (128 pounds), eighth place finisher Gabe Martinez (154 pounds) and Ronnie Ochoa (140 pounds), who did not place.

This Saturday Oakdale heads to Lincoln High School for the Sac-Joaquin Section Duals.